Salaam/Hello all!

On the 14th of July, I'll be challenging myself to race Ironman Vitoria-Gasteiz, a long-distance triathlon event which involves swimming 3.8km followed by cycling 180km and then a full marathon (42.2km). All back to back on the same day! (Crazy I know!)

Having signed up last September after years of procrastination (originally a childhood bucket-list goal!). I began training officially in November as an amateur cyclist with no running experience and no long-distance swimming experience either (it's been a huge learning curve so far!). Meaning, that I am attempting to achieve my goal of a sub-12 hour Ironman finish time with just 9 months of training!!

Whilst such an endurance event sounds impossible, the suffering I endure pales in comparison to the suffering of Palestinians experiencing genocide. The current humanitarian crisis fills us with deep sadness and drive to support the innocent population caught up in the catastrophe. As it stands, according to the latest data from the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Palestinian government, as of early March 2024, Israeli attacks have:

• Killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, including around 12,500 children and 8,400 women. More than 8,000 people remain missing, many trapped under the rubble. Current reports suggest the death toll is now closer to 50,000 deaths.

• Injured more than 72,000 people

• Damaged or destroyed more than half of Gaza’s homes (360,000)

• Damaged 392 educational facilities

The plight of Palestinians has always been close to my heart and unknowingly at the time, when I signed up for the Ironman race on the 15th of September, my intention was always to fundraise for their struggle. Little did I know what would begin just a few weeks later.

To help me compete and complete the Ironman triathlon, I'm working 1-1 with an elite triathlon coach, with a training load of 11-12hrs/week. The training will only increase as I get closer to the race. In the interim, I will be racing a half-ironman distance triathlon on the 19th of May in Nottingham alongside 2x 100-mile cycling events in June.

Live tracking will be possible on the day and I will be sharing my race number once allocated!

InshaAllah (God-willing), with your support I am aiming to raise at least £100 per mile with a target of £14,060. Please donate however much you're able to contribute to support and I pray you are rewarded dearly!

All donations are Zakat eligible and Gift aid eligible.

All funds raised will be sent directly to Human Relief Foundation (www.hrf.org.uk) who are working with local partners in Jordan - the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, and Egypt to deliver humanitarian aid where the need is greatest, when humanitarian corridors open and it is safe to do so (multiple deliveries so far). Delivery operations are overseen by the HRF Jordanian office, to ensure that aid is delivered in the safest and most effective way, where it is needed most. Hear more about humanitarian aid delivery updates via the link: https://www.hrf.org.uk/emergency-appeals/palestine-emergency-appeal/

Do continue to keep me in your prayers please.

JazakAllah kheir and many thanks for your support!